The Air Classics Museum of Aviation bills itself as the Chicago area's "only aviation museum."

But it's the old-timers often hanging out there who make this place so special.

The small but unique museum, just west of the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove, is closed for the season and won't open until 10 a.m. April 1.

But the 26-year-old museum, which is run by veterans who volunteer their time, promises to be a popular site not only for aviation buffs but for those interested in hearing more about the war stories behind the aircraft that helped defend our nation.

Thousands of visitors go through the museum yearly, says President Mike Luman, owner of Lumanair Aviation Services in Sugar Grove.

And even more are drawn to the classics aviation tours that, partnering with the museum, make stops at the Aurora Municipal Airport next door.

Last summer, the Commemorative Air Force AirPower History Tour flew in for a weekend, giving visitors the opportunity to ride on the Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI," a World War II bomber that is the only one of its kind still flying.

"It's pretty exciting when these old-timers come out," said Luman of the veterans who gather to remember the past.

"There's usually even tears as they look at these machines they may have not seen since they were attached to them" 70 years ago, he said. "They may have flown or worked on them … or even lost friends" on them.

"It can open up old wounds," Luman said. "But it can also be a healing process."

The museum features aircraft vehicles, uniforms, historical documents and other aviation memorabilia from the 1940s to the present.

And it allows visitors to sit in the aircraft, whether it's an A-7 that flew in the Gulf War or a UH-1 Huey helicopter from Vietnam.

Luman said there are six jet-powered classic aircraft, including machines on consignment from the Navy.

There are also four mockups, full-scale models that were purchased several years ago from an East Coast retail company that had gone out of business and planned to scrap the planes until the museum got involved.

Also among the aircraft on display are an F-86 Sabre, an A4 SkyHawk and an F4 Phantom.

Admission is $8.

Every June there is an open house that is free to the public, said Luman. It includes guest speakers, as well as plenty of veterans on hand more than eager to share their knowledge and experiences.

"It can get very emotional," he said.

While aviation buffs and gearheads love to gather and talk about the nuts and bolts, it is the stories behind the machines that are the most compelling, he said.

Those feelings are mirrored in some of the comments posted on the museum's website.

"Wow, what a great experience …," one guest commented. "… we were personally escorted through the museum facility by a veteran pilot … he showed us the type of plane that he piloted. We were able to actually go inside and sit in the pilot's seat … The experience was priceless."

"This museum can help you understand what price our veterans have paid," another visitor posted.

"… worth the cost," wrote a third, "if you value the cause of preserving history in this way."